In order to assist the Manhattan Beach community in enjoying this fun-filled holiday as safely as possible, the Manhattan Beach Police Department has compiled the following Halloween Safety tips for children and adults.

For Motorists

• Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly through the community. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

For Parents

• Before children start out on their "Trick or Treat" rounds, parents should:
• Ensure that a responsible adult will be supervising the outing.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of your child's companions.
• Encourage them to travel only in familiar areas and along the established route.
• Remind your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.
• Establish a return time.
• Teach them your home phone number and how to dial 9-1-1 if they have an emergency. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed FREE from any phone, including pay phones
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety tips.
• Feed kids a good meal prior to Trick or Treating to discourage them from filling up on Halloween Treats.
• Insist that treats be brought home for careful inspection before anything is eaten, and when in doubt, throw it out!

It’s all about the Outfit…
Costume Design

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping - falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to Costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater nighttime visibility.
• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase only those that have a label indicating they are flame resistant.
• Consider a loose-fitting costume to allow for warm clothes to be layered underneath, should the evening be chilly.

Face Design

• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Make sure to follow manufacturer's instructions for application.
• If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes. Consider removing the mask when crossing streets for greater visibility.

• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Please do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
• To improve visibility, consider using light-colored or retro-reflective bags or sacks for carrying candy.
• Provide each child with a flashlight and/or glow sticks to help them see better and be seen more clearly.

While Trick or Treating

A parent or responsible adult should always accompany children on their neighborhood rounds. Children should understand and follow these rules:

• Do not enter homes without adult supervision, and only approach homes with porch lights on.
• Walk, do not run, from house to house. Walk on sidewalks, not in the street . Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks. Do not cross yards and lawns (unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards).
• Do not assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters; just because one car stops does not mean others will.
• Obey traffic and pedestrian safety rules.
• Do not eat treats until inspected by an adult at home. Although tampering is rare, adults should still closely examine all treats and throw away unwrapped or suspicious items.

Around the House

• Consider fire safety when decorating. Do not overload electrical outlets with special effects and lighting.
• Always keep Jack O’ lanterns away from drapes, decorations, and flammable materials. When possible, use a battery-operated light.
• This is a great time of year to replace smoke alarm batteries.
• Take extra care to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Move lit Jack O’ lanterns and other objects away from porch/walking areas. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires, or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
• Turn your porch light on for Trick or Treaters.
• Make sure your pets are well secured, and away from potentially frightful sights and sounds of the night.  Also ensure that pets wear proper identification and tags.